Post by D6 on Dec 23, 2019 0:44:51 GMT -5
www.mlive.com/lions/2019/12/observations-lions-surge-to-third-in-nfl-draft-with-eighth-straight-loss.html
Thoughts in ****
Observations: Lions surge to third in NFL draft with eighth straight loss
Observations: Lions surge to third in NFL draft with eighth straight loss
The Lions traveled to face Denver on Sunday at Empower Field.
Observations: Lions surge to third in NFL draft with eighth straight loss
Updated 8:23 PM;Today 7:02 PM
By Kyle Meinke | kmeinke@mlive.com
DENVER -- At last, the Detroit Lions caught a few breaks in 2019.
OK, so they lost 27-17 on Sunday against the Denver Broncos. That’s eight straight losses, matching their longest losing streak since -- yep, you guessed it -- 2008. Not exactly what you’re looking for from a team that once thought it would compete for a division title.
But those hopes were dashed a long time ago. They were bounced from the playoff chase on Thanksgiving and have already sewn up a second straight last place finish in the NFC North. So with all their team goals already off the table for weeks, all focus -- externally anyway -- has shifted to the NFL draft. And on Sunday, they fared well there. Very, very well.
The Lions entered the day sitting on the fifth overall pick. Then the Giants (4-11) hung on for a wild 41-35 overtime win against Washington, which pushed Detroit into the fourth pick. Then the Dolphins (4-11) hung on for a wild 38-35 overtime win against Cincinnati, pushing Detroit into the third pick.
Cincinnati (1-14) has now locked up the No. 1 overall pick, while Washington (3-12) is currently second. But if they manage to win next week against Dallas, the Lions would lock up the second overall pick with a loss in their finale against Green Bay.
Detroit hasn’t picked that highly since taking Ndamukong Suh with the second overall pick back in 2010.
So, yeah. This was actually a very good day for a team that has seen too few of them this season.
They started quickly against Denver, driving 73 yards on the game’s first series and Matt Prater chipped in a 26-yard field goal that gave Detroit its first lead in three weeks. But it wouldn’t last long, you know, on account of this being the Detroit Lions and all.
They managed only 24 yards the rest of the half, while David Blough was besieged by pressure. Detroit -- down starters like Matthew Stafford, Marvin Jones, T.J. Hockenson, Rick Wagner and Joe Dahl -- punted on four straight series. Heck, it managed a first down on only one of those series, and the only points the rest of the half came on a 64-yard punt return for a touchdown by Jamal Agnew.
Denver, meanwhile, strung together five straight scoring drives against a Lions defense that was playing without starters like Jarrad Davis, Christian Jones and A’Shawn Robinson, along with key subs like Da’Shawn Hand and Mike Daniels. At one point, little-used offensive tackle Dan Skipper entered the game at defensive tackle for a goal-line play. Royce Freeman scored anyway from 1 yard out, part of a 13-point surge that gave Denver a 13-10 lead.
Detroit did briefly reclaim the lead in the third quarter, with Kenny Golladay weaving through traffic and then stretching the ball across the goal line for a 3-yard touchdown that made it 16-13. But that didn’t last long. Rookie quarterback Drew Lock came right back the other way with an 11-play series that he capped with a 3-yard TD to DaeSean Hamilton.
Detroit went three-and-out on the following series, then Phillip Lindsay got loose for a 27-yard touchdown that sealed the Lions’ fate.
**** Though I was rooting for the Lions to win the game, the loss to the Broncos has a much greater chance of being better for the Lions future. Barring something unexpected and then-some, at the very least the Lions will have the 3rd pick in the draft. Whether the Lions keep the pick or trade the pick, there should be a tremendous opportunity for the Lions. My hope is that Ohio St. DE Chase Young declares for the draft and two QBs that will be in the draft are considered top 5 picks by many teams. ****
There were three bad officiating calls in the 4th QTR against the Lions. Normally, it would be unsettling for me. Yet, when factoring in the benefits of the Lions losing this game and none of the officiating decisions very likely would have changed the outcome of the game, I'm only mildly disturbed what transpired with the officiating.
The top two reasons the Lions lost this game were the Lions inability to protect David Blough well enough. Tyrell Crosby is far too inconstant to be counted on unless he makes huge strides in the off-season and summer. The TE pass blocking by Jesse James and to a lesser extent Logan Thomas was problematic. The other major reason for the loss was the Lions inability to get a pass rush on most Broncos passing plays. The Broncos remained on the field far too long. Against a depleted interior front 7 on Defense, the lack of pass rush eventually caught up to the Lions run Defense.
The worst thing by far from this game was the shoulder injury that Lions LB Jahlini Tavai suffered in the 1st half. It remains to be seen if he will need surgery and how long he will be sidelined. The Lions off-season program begins in April. ****
Here are some more instant observations from the game:
-- Kerryon Johnson suited up for the first time since tearing the meniscus in his right knee back in Week 7, much to the chagrin of those concerned about his long-term health. But it took us a while to even see him. Bo Scarbrough earned another start -- he’s now started all five professional games he’s appeared in -- with Jamal Agnew coming off the bench. Then J.D. McKissic. Then Ty Johnson. And then, finally, Kerryon Johnson checked into the game, a bulky brace protecting that right knee. His first touch, a 1-yard catch, came on the second series. His first carry, a 4-yarder, came on the series of that. He had four carries for 17 yards in the first half, as Detroit worked him back slowly, and finished with a team-high 10 carries for 42 yards. And most importantly, he appeared to stay healthy.
**** All things considering, good job / all around performance by Kerryon Johnson.
I don't recall Jamal Agnew seeing action on Offense in this game. If he did, it was very limited. ****
-- The Lions have had their issues on almost every front this season. But receiver hasn’t really been one of them, and especially Kenny Golladay. His 35-yard bomb helped set up a field goal on the game’s first series, which proved to be Detroit’s only offensive points of the half. Then he opened the second half by knifing through traffic and extending across the goal line for a 3-yard touchdown. Man amongst men and all that. And it was his 11th touchdown catch of the season, which leads the league. Considering he’s now played seven of his 15 games with backup quarterbacks, that’s especially impressive. Golladay finished with six catches for 66 yards overall, and now has 1,118 yards for the season. That’s a new career high with one game still to go. And with the way he’s developing, there should be even brighter days ahead once Matthew Stafford returns. (A big payday too, perhaps as soon as next offseason.)
**** The only downer regarding Kenny Golladay's performance is not coming down with a catchable 3rd down deep ball when the score was Denver 20, Detroit 17. It's a catch he's more than capable of making.
Kenny Golladay was robbed by the officials and by those reviewing instant replay on the 4th Down play, shortly after the 2 minute warning in the 4th QTR. It's one thing for the officials to miss that it was a catch when watching the play live. It's another when the play wasn't reversed when there was indisputable evidence! It was a great catch that was ruled an incomplete pass. ****
-- In case you needed more evidence of just how much injuries have gutted this team, it was quite the sight to see Dan Skipper playing defensive tackle at the goal line. Skipper, by the way, is an offensive tackle who had played in just five career games. But the Lions are just down so many guys there, with Da’Shawn Hand, Mike Daniels, Kevin Strong and Darius Kilgo all on injured reserve. A’Shawn Robinson didn’t play in this game either because of a shoulder injury. So with Denver knocking on the door midway through the fourth quarter, Detroit anchored its defensive front with a 6-foot-9, 317-pound offensive tackle. It, um, didn’t work. Royce Freeman plowed into the end zone for a 1-yard touchdown that drew Denver to within 10-7.
**** Dan Skipper playing DT sums up the Lions season with the position unit. ****
-- When it rains, it pours. And right now, it’s pouring on defense. The Lions have put starting linebackers Jarrad Davis and Christian Jones on injured reserve in the last two weeks, which forced rookie Jahlani Tavai into a full-time role at middle linebacker. Then he left the game early in the second quarter with a shoulder injury and did not return. That forced the Lions to reach deep onto their bench, with guys like Steve Longa and Jalen Reeves-Maybin -- usually just special teams aces -- pressed into starting roles on defense. Longa was productive, though, racking up six tackles in the first half. That matched his total from the first 14 games of the season, all but one of which had come on special teams. But he didn’t have a single tackle in the second half, as Denver took control of the game.
**** Steve Longa played on Defense far less in the 2nd half than the 1st half. Other than a missed tackle, I thought he played real well in the half on Defense.
The Personal Foul penalty on Longa on Punt Coverage in the 4th QTR was horrible. He clearly was pushed before going out of bounds. Longa tried to avoid a direct hit when this happened. The conference by the officials was worthless! ****
-- The Lions have had a rough year in almost every regard, but their trip to Denver reminded me of the shrewd move to dump Theo Riddick when they did. The timing was surprising -- after just two days of training camp -- but there were whispers throughout Allen Park that the team was worried about Riddick’s health and fitness. In short, there were concerns he would get hurt, and the Lions moved on right away. That saved them $3.55 million in cap space. Meanwhile, Riddick went on to sign with Denver -- and wouldn’t you know it, has yet to play in a game this year because of injuries. That was excellent foresight by the Lions, to move on when they did and pocket the savings.
**** The decision turned out well but it takes nothing away from what Theo Riddick contributed to the Lions over the years. Riddick was the best Lions receiving RB that I have seen in my 50 seasons as a fan of this team. ****
-- In his first return to Denver since the Broncos cut him back in 2014, Matt Prater opened the scoring with a 26-yard field goal that propelled him past a guy named Barry Sanders (654 points) on Detroit’s all-time scoring list. Prater now ranks third in franchise history, trailing only Jason Hanson and Eddie Murray. He has some work to do to catch either player, with Hanson checking in at 1,340 career points. Still, what a coup it was for Detroit to grab him back in 2014. Prater was run out of town because of substance abuse issues, but the Lions gave him a second chance. And not only has he had zero run-ins with the law or the league’s substance policies, but he’s consistently been one of the best and biggest-legged kickers in the league. And in a division with its share of kicking issues, his consistency stands out.
**** It's great to see that Matt Prater turned his life around and he remains one of the best Kickers in the NFL. ****
…………………..
This new thread is a continuation of the following thread:
Lions at Broncos preview: Game # 15 ( 2019 )
detroit-lions-forum.proboards.com/thread/532/lions-broncos-preview-game-2019?page=1&scrollTo=2466
Thoughts in ****
Observations: Lions surge to third in NFL draft with eighth straight loss
Observations: Lions surge to third in NFL draft with eighth straight loss
The Lions traveled to face Denver on Sunday at Empower Field.
Observations: Lions surge to third in NFL draft with eighth straight loss
Updated 8:23 PM;Today 7:02 PM
By Kyle Meinke | kmeinke@mlive.com
DENVER -- At last, the Detroit Lions caught a few breaks in 2019.
OK, so they lost 27-17 on Sunday against the Denver Broncos. That’s eight straight losses, matching their longest losing streak since -- yep, you guessed it -- 2008. Not exactly what you’re looking for from a team that once thought it would compete for a division title.
But those hopes were dashed a long time ago. They were bounced from the playoff chase on Thanksgiving and have already sewn up a second straight last place finish in the NFC North. So with all their team goals already off the table for weeks, all focus -- externally anyway -- has shifted to the NFL draft. And on Sunday, they fared well there. Very, very well.
The Lions entered the day sitting on the fifth overall pick. Then the Giants (4-11) hung on for a wild 41-35 overtime win against Washington, which pushed Detroit into the fourth pick. Then the Dolphins (4-11) hung on for a wild 38-35 overtime win against Cincinnati, pushing Detroit into the third pick.
Cincinnati (1-14) has now locked up the No. 1 overall pick, while Washington (3-12) is currently second. But if they manage to win next week against Dallas, the Lions would lock up the second overall pick with a loss in their finale against Green Bay.
Detroit hasn’t picked that highly since taking Ndamukong Suh with the second overall pick back in 2010.
So, yeah. This was actually a very good day for a team that has seen too few of them this season.
They started quickly against Denver, driving 73 yards on the game’s first series and Matt Prater chipped in a 26-yard field goal that gave Detroit its first lead in three weeks. But it wouldn’t last long, you know, on account of this being the Detroit Lions and all.
They managed only 24 yards the rest of the half, while David Blough was besieged by pressure. Detroit -- down starters like Matthew Stafford, Marvin Jones, T.J. Hockenson, Rick Wagner and Joe Dahl -- punted on four straight series. Heck, it managed a first down on only one of those series, and the only points the rest of the half came on a 64-yard punt return for a touchdown by Jamal Agnew.
Denver, meanwhile, strung together five straight scoring drives against a Lions defense that was playing without starters like Jarrad Davis, Christian Jones and A’Shawn Robinson, along with key subs like Da’Shawn Hand and Mike Daniels. At one point, little-used offensive tackle Dan Skipper entered the game at defensive tackle for a goal-line play. Royce Freeman scored anyway from 1 yard out, part of a 13-point surge that gave Denver a 13-10 lead.
Detroit did briefly reclaim the lead in the third quarter, with Kenny Golladay weaving through traffic and then stretching the ball across the goal line for a 3-yard touchdown that made it 16-13. But that didn’t last long. Rookie quarterback Drew Lock came right back the other way with an 11-play series that he capped with a 3-yard TD to DaeSean Hamilton.
Detroit went three-and-out on the following series, then Phillip Lindsay got loose for a 27-yard touchdown that sealed the Lions’ fate.
**** Though I was rooting for the Lions to win the game, the loss to the Broncos has a much greater chance of being better for the Lions future. Barring something unexpected and then-some, at the very least the Lions will have the 3rd pick in the draft. Whether the Lions keep the pick or trade the pick, there should be a tremendous opportunity for the Lions. My hope is that Ohio St. DE Chase Young declares for the draft and two QBs that will be in the draft are considered top 5 picks by many teams. ****
There were three bad officiating calls in the 4th QTR against the Lions. Normally, it would be unsettling for me. Yet, when factoring in the benefits of the Lions losing this game and none of the officiating decisions very likely would have changed the outcome of the game, I'm only mildly disturbed what transpired with the officiating.
The top two reasons the Lions lost this game were the Lions inability to protect David Blough well enough. Tyrell Crosby is far too inconstant to be counted on unless he makes huge strides in the off-season and summer. The TE pass blocking by Jesse James and to a lesser extent Logan Thomas was problematic. The other major reason for the loss was the Lions inability to get a pass rush on most Broncos passing plays. The Broncos remained on the field far too long. Against a depleted interior front 7 on Defense, the lack of pass rush eventually caught up to the Lions run Defense.
The worst thing by far from this game was the shoulder injury that Lions LB Jahlini Tavai suffered in the 1st half. It remains to be seen if he will need surgery and how long he will be sidelined. The Lions off-season program begins in April. ****
Here are some more instant observations from the game:
-- Kerryon Johnson suited up for the first time since tearing the meniscus in his right knee back in Week 7, much to the chagrin of those concerned about his long-term health. But it took us a while to even see him. Bo Scarbrough earned another start -- he’s now started all five professional games he’s appeared in -- with Jamal Agnew coming off the bench. Then J.D. McKissic. Then Ty Johnson. And then, finally, Kerryon Johnson checked into the game, a bulky brace protecting that right knee. His first touch, a 1-yard catch, came on the second series. His first carry, a 4-yarder, came on the series of that. He had four carries for 17 yards in the first half, as Detroit worked him back slowly, and finished with a team-high 10 carries for 42 yards. And most importantly, he appeared to stay healthy.
**** All things considering, good job / all around performance by Kerryon Johnson.
I don't recall Jamal Agnew seeing action on Offense in this game. If he did, it was very limited. ****
-- The Lions have had their issues on almost every front this season. But receiver hasn’t really been one of them, and especially Kenny Golladay. His 35-yard bomb helped set up a field goal on the game’s first series, which proved to be Detroit’s only offensive points of the half. Then he opened the second half by knifing through traffic and extending across the goal line for a 3-yard touchdown. Man amongst men and all that. And it was his 11th touchdown catch of the season, which leads the league. Considering he’s now played seven of his 15 games with backup quarterbacks, that’s especially impressive. Golladay finished with six catches for 66 yards overall, and now has 1,118 yards for the season. That’s a new career high with one game still to go. And with the way he’s developing, there should be even brighter days ahead once Matthew Stafford returns. (A big payday too, perhaps as soon as next offseason.)
**** The only downer regarding Kenny Golladay's performance is not coming down with a catchable 3rd down deep ball when the score was Denver 20, Detroit 17. It's a catch he's more than capable of making.
Kenny Golladay was robbed by the officials and by those reviewing instant replay on the 4th Down play, shortly after the 2 minute warning in the 4th QTR. It's one thing for the officials to miss that it was a catch when watching the play live. It's another when the play wasn't reversed when there was indisputable evidence! It was a great catch that was ruled an incomplete pass. ****
-- In case you needed more evidence of just how much injuries have gutted this team, it was quite the sight to see Dan Skipper playing defensive tackle at the goal line. Skipper, by the way, is an offensive tackle who had played in just five career games. But the Lions are just down so many guys there, with Da’Shawn Hand, Mike Daniels, Kevin Strong and Darius Kilgo all on injured reserve. A’Shawn Robinson didn’t play in this game either because of a shoulder injury. So with Denver knocking on the door midway through the fourth quarter, Detroit anchored its defensive front with a 6-foot-9, 317-pound offensive tackle. It, um, didn’t work. Royce Freeman plowed into the end zone for a 1-yard touchdown that drew Denver to within 10-7.
**** Dan Skipper playing DT sums up the Lions season with the position unit. ****
-- When it rains, it pours. And right now, it’s pouring on defense. The Lions have put starting linebackers Jarrad Davis and Christian Jones on injured reserve in the last two weeks, which forced rookie Jahlani Tavai into a full-time role at middle linebacker. Then he left the game early in the second quarter with a shoulder injury and did not return. That forced the Lions to reach deep onto their bench, with guys like Steve Longa and Jalen Reeves-Maybin -- usually just special teams aces -- pressed into starting roles on defense. Longa was productive, though, racking up six tackles in the first half. That matched his total from the first 14 games of the season, all but one of which had come on special teams. But he didn’t have a single tackle in the second half, as Denver took control of the game.
**** Steve Longa played on Defense far less in the 2nd half than the 1st half. Other than a missed tackle, I thought he played real well in the half on Defense.
The Personal Foul penalty on Longa on Punt Coverage in the 4th QTR was horrible. He clearly was pushed before going out of bounds. Longa tried to avoid a direct hit when this happened. The conference by the officials was worthless! ****
-- The Lions have had a rough year in almost every regard, but their trip to Denver reminded me of the shrewd move to dump Theo Riddick when they did. The timing was surprising -- after just two days of training camp -- but there were whispers throughout Allen Park that the team was worried about Riddick’s health and fitness. In short, there were concerns he would get hurt, and the Lions moved on right away. That saved them $3.55 million in cap space. Meanwhile, Riddick went on to sign with Denver -- and wouldn’t you know it, has yet to play in a game this year because of injuries. That was excellent foresight by the Lions, to move on when they did and pocket the savings.
**** The decision turned out well but it takes nothing away from what Theo Riddick contributed to the Lions over the years. Riddick was the best Lions receiving RB that I have seen in my 50 seasons as a fan of this team. ****
-- In his first return to Denver since the Broncos cut him back in 2014, Matt Prater opened the scoring with a 26-yard field goal that propelled him past a guy named Barry Sanders (654 points) on Detroit’s all-time scoring list. Prater now ranks third in franchise history, trailing only Jason Hanson and Eddie Murray. He has some work to do to catch either player, with Hanson checking in at 1,340 career points. Still, what a coup it was for Detroit to grab him back in 2014. Prater was run out of town because of substance abuse issues, but the Lions gave him a second chance. And not only has he had zero run-ins with the law or the league’s substance policies, but he’s consistently been one of the best and biggest-legged kickers in the league. And in a division with its share of kicking issues, his consistency stands out.
**** It's great to see that Matt Prater turned his life around and he remains one of the best Kickers in the NFL. ****
…………………..
This new thread is a continuation of the following thread:
Lions at Broncos preview: Game # 15 ( 2019 )
detroit-lions-forum.proboards.com/thread/532/lions-broncos-preview-game-2019?page=1&scrollTo=2466